Flash light



Nov. 5, 1935. E. P. BEAUMONT 8 FLASH LIGHT Fil ed Dec. 14, 1934 INVENTOR [aye/2e PBeaan/om BY ATYI'ORNEY Patented Nov. 5, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to flashlights, particularly of the portable type.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a flashlight of novel and improved construction, which is-actuated upon grasping same.

Another object is to provide a novel flashlight of the character described, wherein the circuit actuating the lamp is controlled by an improved switching means.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved flashlight of the type mentioned, which is simple in construction, cheap to manufacture, eflicient in operation and easy to use.

I have shown several embodiments of my present invention, with the above objects in view and others which will be suggested and become mani- I fest as the purposes and nature of the invention are fully disclosed and revealed in the following specification and drawing.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part of this application, similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal central section through a flashlight embodying my present in vention, wherein the lamp becomes actuated upon grasping the device at its lower half.

Fig. 2 shows a similar section of a modified form, wherein the lamp becomes actuated upon grasping the device practically anywhere.

Fig. 3 is a view similar in construction as the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, including however, an auxiliary switch.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing said switch in plan.

In the drawing, the numeral I designates a sleeve or tubular casing made of insulative material, of a length longer than that of an electric cell I I, which fits within said casing intermediate the ends thereof; said cell being in series with another cell I2, which fits into an end of the casing I0, and projects therefrom, the major portion of its length. These cells are of the ordinary type having zinc container electrodes. At the other end of the casing I0, through a metallic U member I3, is mounted the base of a lamp I4, so that the central terminal I5 of said lamp, is in contact with the carbon electrode terminal I6, of the cell I I; the member I3, being held in place by a ring II. A member comprised of ring I8 and plug I9, both of insulative materials, cap the bottom of the cell I2, whereby the container electrode of said cell is left uninsulated, except at a small portion, both at top and bottom.

A flexible member 20, of electrically conductive material, preferably in the form of a sleeve of sheet metal, wire mesh, metal cloth or the like, or else in the form of a spiral spring (not shown) or other equivalent for the purpose intended, is mounted to be slightly spaced from the container electrode of the cell I2, maintained so, in the 5 embodiment shown, bythe insulator rings 2 I. A narrow metal ribbon 22, connects the U member I3 and the flexible member 20. A leather cover 23, or other flexible material, is cemented or glued about the casing I0 and the ring I8, to 10 give a finished appearance and to maintain the components assembled as described.

It is natural to hold the flashlight at the region of the cell I2, and when so grasped, the flexible member 20, coming in contact with the container electrode of the cell I2, will close the circuit of the lamp I4. Upon release of pressure of the hand, or when the flashlight is laid down, the flexible member 20, will resume its original position spaced from the container electrode of said cell I2, whereupon the circuit is opened and the light extinguished.

The construction shown in Fig. 3, is substantially that of Fig.1, above described, with the addition of an auxiliary switch, whereby the cir- 5 cuit of the lamp can be maintained open, or subject to the control effected when the flexible member 2|! is made to contact the container electrode of the cell I2, or else to maintain said circuit constantly closed.

In this Fig. 3, the numeral 24 indicates a sleeve into which the casing I0 is secured to by gluing or otherwise, and the numeral 25 designates a felt filler, lying between the cover 23 and the flexible member 20, 5

The ribbon 22 is provided with a slot 26, in which is positioned free to slide, the reduced extremity 21 of an inturned end 28 of a member 29, the other end, of which is also turned inward and adapted to come in contact with the contact buttons 3| or 32, the former of which buttons connects with the flexible member 20, while the latter is in contact with the electrode which is the container of the cell I2. The said slot 26, is long enough to permit the member 29 to be moved to a position towards the lamp I4, whereby the end 30 is out of contact with any of said buttons 3| and 32.

It is evident that when the member 29 is out of contact with any of said buttons, the circuit 60 of the lamp is maintained open, when in contact with the button 3|, the circuit is controlled as in Fig. 1, and when in contact with the button 32, the lamp is continuously lit.

A knob 33, the neck of which is adapted to slide in slot 34 cut in the cover 23, is secured to the member 29, to facilitate moving the latter. When this auxiliary switch is included in the device, it is expedient to space the cells II and I2, and provide a ribbon spring 35 to connect the cells in series with, in order to give the button 3|, an insulated mounting.

In Fig, 2, the cells I I and I2, lie within a metal tube 36; the cell II, being insulated therefrom by a paper tube 31, which also separates the U member I3 from said tube 36, while the electrode container of cell I2 is in contact with said metal tube 36. A flexible tubular member 20 is mounted concentric over thetube 3E, and is maintained spaced therefrom by the insulator members 2|. Said flexible member being of electrically conductive material, it is evident that when the flashlight is grasped anywhere along its length between the narrow end rings 2|, the lamp will be lighted.

This invention is capable of numerous forms and various applications without departing from the essential features herein disclosed. It is therefore intended and desired that the embodiments shown herein be deemed illustrative and not restrictive, and that the patent shall cover whatever features of patentable novelty exist in the invention disclosed; reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the specific descriptions herein to indicate the scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a flashlight, the combination of an electric cell having a container electrode, a flexible metallic sleeve member mounted concentrically spaced about said electrode whereby a tubular gap is formed between the electrode and the sleeve member, and a lamp, having one terminal in electrical connection with the other electrode of the cell, and its other terminal in electrical connection with said sleeve member, adapted to become actuated upon pressing the sleeve member anywhere on its surface, whereby said sleeve memher is brought into contact with the container electrode of the cell, whereupon the circuit of the lamp is closed.

2. In a flashlight, an electric cell having a container electrode, a metallic tubular member carried concentrically on said electrode and in contact therewith; said cell only partially occupying the tubular member, another cell within the tubular member and electrically insulated therefrom, in electrical series with the first cell, a flexible metallic tubular member mounted concentrically spaced about the first tubular member, whereby a tubular gap is formed between said tubular members, and a lamp mounted onto one of the tubular members, in electrical series connection with the cells and the outer tubular member, adapted to become actuated upon pressing the outer tubular member anywhere on its surface, whereby said tubular members are brought into contact, whereupon the circuit of the lamp is closed.

3. In a flashlight, a casing comprising a pair of concentric metallic tubular members; the outer member being flexible, non-conductive spacer elements secured to and between said tubular members at the respective ends thereof, whereby a tubular gap is formed between said pair of members, an electric battery within the casing; one terminal of the battery being in electrical connection with one of the tubular members, and a lamp mounted on the casing, having one of its terminals in electrical connection with the other tubular member, and its other terminal in electrical connection with the other terminal of the battery; said lamp being adapted to become actuated upon pressing the outer tubular member anywhere on its surface between the spacer elements, whereby said tubular members are brought into contact, whereupon the circuit of the lamp is closed.

EUGENE P. BEAUMONT. 

